Grade 7 hindu religious education – Fundamental Principles Quiz

1. What does the word "dharma" most closely mean in Hindu teachings for a 12-year-old learner?

A secret code only priests can use
A way to get rich quickly
A list of many gods to worship
A set of duties and right conduct
Explanation:

Dharma refers to the moral duties and right behaviour people should follow in life, such as honesty, respect, and responsibility, not to money or secret knowledge.

2. Which principle of dharma teaches not to harm others or animals?

Greed (lobha)
Deceit (maya)
Hatred (dvesha)
Non-violence (ahimsa)
Explanation:

Ahimsa means non-violence and compassion toward all living beings, an important dharmic principle followed in Hindu teachings.

3. Which dharmic principle means telling the truth?

Stealing (asteya)
Selfishness (ahamkara)
Laziness (alasa)
Truthfulness (satya)
Explanation:

Satya is the principle of truthfulness; speaking and acting honestly is a central part of dharma.

4. How does the principle of seva (selfless service) show dharma in everyday life?

Asking for money when helping
Only helping rich people
Ignoring community needs
Helping others without expecting rewards
Explanation:

Seva means serving others selflessly, which teaches responsibility and compassion as part of dharma.

5. What is the dharmic teaching about respect for parents and elders?

To always disagree with elders
To care for and respect parents and elders
To only obey elders when it benefits you
To leave family responsibilities to others
Explanation:

Respecting and caring for parents and elders is a key duty in dharma, showing gratitude and responsibility in the family.

6. Which dharmic value encourages cleanliness of body and mind?

Bragging (mada)
Neglect (anartha)
Stealing (asteya)
Purity (shaucha)
Explanation:

Shaucha stands for purity and cleanliness of body, mind, and surroundings, which is encouraged by dharma.

7. What does the law of karma teach in the context of dharma?

Only the rich get blessings
Everything is decided by luck alone
Good actions lead to good results and bad actions to bad results
You can do anything without consequence
Explanation:

Karma teaches that actions have consequences; following dharma leads to positive outcomes while wrong actions lead to harm.

8. Which principle of dharma encourages fairness and justice in the community?

Favoritism (paksha)
Righteousness (dharma)
Cruelty (himsa)
Cheating (maya)
Explanation:

Dharma includes acting righteously and fairly, promoting justice and good conduct within the community.

9. What does asteya (non-stealing) teach school children?

Not to take things that belong to others
To share other people's food without asking
To hide school property
To copy homework from everyone
Explanation:

Asteya means not stealing and respecting other people's property, an important lesson for students and community life.

10. Which dharmic principle helps people control bad desires and act responsibly?

Excessive pride (mana)
Laziness (tamas)
Revenge (pratishodh)
Self-discipline (tapas/discipline)
Explanation:

Self-discipline helps a person control impulses and follow dharma by making responsible choices and practicing good habits.

11. How does dharma promote tolerance among people of different religions in Kenya?

By forcing everyone to follow one faith
By creating conflicts between communities
By teaching respect and non-harm toward all beliefs
By ignoring others' traditions
Explanation:

Dharma encourages respect and non-violence, which supports peaceful coexistence and tolerance in a diverse society like Kenya.

12. Which principle asks people to be content with what they have?

Greed (lobha)
Contentment (santosha)
Worry (chinta)
Envy (irshya)
Explanation:

Santosha means being satisfied and content, a dharmic value that reduces greed and leads to peaceful living.

13. Which principle guides students to study and respect their teachers?

Carelessness (avirata)
Disrespect (anadar)
Rebellion (vidroh)
Respect and duty (shraddha and kartavya)
Explanation:

Shraddha (respect) and kartavya (duty) guide students to honour teachers and do their best in studies as part of dharma.

14. What does forgiveness (kshama) encourage someone to do?

Hold grudges forever
Seek revenge quickly
Let go of anger and forgive those who do wrong
Spread gossip about others
Explanation:

Kshama teaches forgiveness, helping people heal relationships and act compassionately, central to dharmic living.

15. Which principle of dharma tells a person to share with the poor and needy?

Charity and generosity (dana)
Wastefulness (vyaya)
Selfishness (atma),
Secrecy (gopana)
Explanation:

Dana is the practice of giving and sharing with those in need, reflecting compassion and social duty in dharma.

16. How does dharma view the idea of equality before others?

All human beings deserve respect and fair treatment
Some people are always better than others
Outsiders should be ignored
Only family members get respect
Explanation:

Dharma promotes respect and fairness toward everyone, teaching that all people should be treated with dignity.

17. What role does honesty play in dharmic life at school?

It builds trust and good reputation among classmates and teachers
It makes learning slower
It makes you unpopular
It helps you cheat better
Explanation:

Honesty creates trust and shows moral character, which is encouraged by dharma in school and community life.

18. Which principle teaches that duties change with age and role, such as student or parent?

No rules (anrta)
Random living (akarma)
Only pleasure (kama)
Dharma according to stages of life (ashrama dharma)
Explanation:

Ashrama dharma explains that people have different duties at different life stages (student, householder, etc.), guiding right conduct.

19. How can a Kenyan 12-year-old practice non-violence (ahimsa) at home?

By speaking kindly and not hurting animals or siblings
By taking things without asking
By shouting whenever upset
By ignoring everyone at home
Explanation:

Ahimsa includes avoiding physical and verbal harm; being kind at home is a simple way to practise non-violence.

20. Which dharmic idea helps people accept responsibility for their actions?

Karma and personal responsibility
Waiting for miracles
Ignoring consequences
Blaming others always
Explanation:

Belief in karma encourages people to act responsibly because actions have consequences, a core dharmic teaching.

21. What does 'ahimsa' help promote in a school setting?

Excluding classmates from games
Fighting to get what you want
Peaceful behaviour and respect for all students
Taking teachers' belongings
Explanation:

Ahimsa promotes non-harm and respect, which supports peaceful relationships and cooperation in school.

22. Which principle reminds people to use resources wisely and avoid waste?

Carelessness and neglect
Moderation and contentment
Wastefulness and excess
Gluttony and greed
Explanation:

Dharma values moderation and contentment, encouraging responsible use of resources and care for the environment.

23. Which dharmic value helps build strong friendships by being reliable?

Dishonesty (mithya)
Loyalty and duty (faithfulness)
Jealousy (irshya)
Unreliability (avicara)
Explanation:

Being loyal and responsible to friends is a dharmic quality that builds trust and lasting relationships.

24. How can prayer and ritual support a child's understanding of dharma?

They make school work unnecessary
They help strengthen values like respect, discipline, and gratitude
They replace the need to behave well
They teach children to ignore others
Explanation:

Prayer and rituals can reinforce dharmic values such as respect and discipline, helping children practice good behaviour.

25. Which principle teaches care for nature and all living things?

Destruction of nature (vinash)
Respect for life (ahimsa and reverence for nature)
Only caring for people (manushya keval)
Indifference to animals (anudaya)
Explanation:

Dharma includes caring for the environment and living beings, promoting protection of nature as part of right conduct.

26. What is the simplest meaning of 'Dharma' in Hindu teaching suitable for a 12-year-old?

A rule that only priests must follow
A collection of random stories with no rules
A set of duties and right conduct that keep a person and community in harmony
A list of magical spells to gain power
Explanation:

Dharma means duty, moral behaviour and right conduct that help a person live well and keep the community peaceful; it is not magic or only for priests.

27. Which principle explains doing what is right even when it is difficult?

Following friends blindly
Ignoring problems so they go away
Only helping people when you get something back
Standing for truth and duty (dharma) even when it is hard
Explanation:

Dharma teaches being truthful and responsible even when it is difficult; the other choices describe avoiding duty or selfish behaviour.

28. Which of these is a core moral rule in dharma that means 'non-harming'?

Dishonesty
Laziness
Ahimsa (non-violence)
Revenge
Explanation:

Ahimsa is the principle of not causing harm to others; it is central to dharma and encourages kindness and respect.

29. If a student finds a wallet at school, what dharmic principle should guide them?

Sell it for pocket money
Return it to the owner or hand it to a teacher because honesty is dharma
Keep it and tell no one
Hide it and blame another student
Explanation:

Honesty is an important part of dharma; returning lost property shows right conduct and responsibility.

30. What does 'Svadharma' mean in Hindu thought?

Copying someone else's life exactly
Avoiding any kind of work
One's own duty according to their role and abilities
Doing whatever someone else orders
Explanation:

Svadharma means following duties appropriate to your stage in life and talents; it encourages responsibility rather than blindly copying others.

31. Which source of dharma is based on revealed scriptures in Hindu tradition?

Making up rules for fun
Telling lies to win
Shruti (that which is heard/revealed)
Ignoring all teachings
Explanation:

Shruti refers to sacred revealed texts (like the Vedas) considered a primary source for dharma; the other options are not sources of moral law.

32. How does 'Seva' (service) relate to dharma?

Serving only to gain praise
Serving others is a duty that expresses compassion and helps the community
Avoiding any work for others
Only serving those who are rich
Explanation:

Seva is selfless service and is encouraged by dharma because it shows compassion and strengthens community bonds.

33. Which quality is important in dharma when making decisions: intention or outcome?

Decisions should be random
Never think about motives at all
Intention (niyat) matters because right motives support righteous actions
Only outcomes matter and intentions are irrelevant
Explanation:

Dharma teaches that good intentions support moral actions; both motive and action matter, but pure intention is emphasized.

34. Which of these is a dharmic principle for how family members should behave?

Always ignore family responsibilities
Respect and care for parents and elders
Act as if you are never responsible
Try to make elders look foolish
Explanation:

Respecting and caring for parents and elders is a common dharmic duty taught in Hindu families to maintain harmony and gratitude.

35. What does 'Satya' mean and why is it important in dharma?

Truthfulness; it builds trust and justice in society
Sleeping more than needed
Always agreeing with friends
Keeping secrets to harm others
Explanation:

Satya means truth. Being truthful helps people trust each other and keeps society fair, which is central to dharma.

36. How does dharma view caring for the environment and animals?

Nature should be used without care
Animals are unimportant and can be harmed for fun
Caring for nature and animals is part of right conduct and compassion
Only humans matter; nature has no value
Explanation:

Dharma includes compassion for all living beings and responsible care for the environment, similar to caring for communal resources in Kenya.

37. Which practice helps a young person develop self-control, an important dharmic quality?

Always doing whatever you feel like
Discipline like regular study and good habits
Acting without thinking to show strength
Skipping school and playing all day
Explanation:

Self-discipline through study, routines and restraint helps build character and fulfills dharmic duties toward oneself and others.

38. In making fair decisions in the community, which dharmic value is most relevant?

Favouring only your family
Always taking the easy way out
Deciding by who yells loudest
Justice (nyaya) - giving each person their due
Explanation:

Nyaya, or justice, is a dharmic principle that asks for fair and impartial decisions that protect everyone's rights.

39. Why is forgiveness considered a dharmic practice?

It shows weakness and should be avoided
Because it lets people hurt you forever
Forgiveness encourages bad behaviour
Forgiveness ends anger and helps relationships heal
Explanation:

Forgiveness is encouraged in dharma because it reduces hatred, restores peace, and helps communities stay united.

40. Which of the following best describes 'Achar' as a source of dharma?

Random rules made each day
Stories that always change
Good conduct and community customs that guide behaviour
A secret code only for kings
Explanation:

Achar refers to proper conduct and accepted social customs that support dharma in everyday life.

41. What should guide a Hindu in balancing personal desires (kama) and duty (dharma)?

Never allow any enjoyment at all
Always give in to every desire without thinking
Ignore duty and only pursue pleasure
Follow duty while enjoying permitted pleasures responsibly
Explanation:

Dharma teaches balance: it allows happiness but within limits so duties and responsibilities are not harmed.

42. How does dharma encourage honesty in public life, like in school or community leadership?

By teaching truthfulness, accountability and fair behaviour
By encouraging lies to protect friends
By accepting bribes for advantages
By hiding mistakes to look better
Explanation:

Dharma values honesty and responsibility, which support trust in leaders and fairness in school and community settings.

43. Which action shows responsibility according to dharma in a Kenyan village or town?

Ignoring community meetings
Helping in community clean-up or school activities
Damaging public property
Leaving problems for others to solve
Explanation:

Participating in community work is a practical dharmic duty; it shows care for shared life and echoes Kenyan traditions of communal help.

44. What role does 'Svadhyaya' (self-study) play in following dharma?

Refusing to learn anything new
Learning about scriptures and oneself to improve behaviour
Copying others without thinking
Only memorising songs without meaning
Explanation:

Svadhyaya means study of sacred texts and self-reflection; it helps people understand duties and grow morally.

45. Which is a dharmic response when someone is treated unfairly in school?

Seek justice peacefully and with proper authority
Ignore the harm and encourage others to do the same
Fight them in secret without telling anyone
Spread lies about them
Explanation:

Dharma supports seeking fair resolution through calm, lawful means rather than revenge or dishonesty.

46. Why is humility considered a dharmic trait?

Humility means never speaking to anyone
Humility means refusing to help anyone
Being humble makes you superior to others
Humility helps people respect others and learn, avoiding pride
Explanation:

Dharma values humility because it prevents arrogance and helps people cooperate and grow together.

47. Which action contradicts the principle of 'Dharma'?

Apologising after hurting someone
Helping a classmate who is struggling
Cheating in exams for personal gain
Cleaning up a playground after use
Explanation:

Cheating is dishonest and harms fairness, so it goes against dharma; the other actions show duty and care.

48. How should one treat people of different religions according to basic dharmic ideas?

With respect and peaceful cooperation
Only with hostility and suspicion
Refuse to speak with them even in emergencies
Ignore them always
Explanation:

Dharma teaches respect for all people and living peacefully together, which fits well in a diverse society like Kenya.

49. What is the dharmic view on doing charity (dana)?

Giving only to get praise and nothing more
Refusing to help poor people
Keeping everything for yourself always
Giving to those in need is a duty that shows compassion
Explanation:

Dana or charity is encouraged in dharma as an act of kindness and responsibility to support the less fortunate.

50. Which habit helps a young person practise dharma daily?

Stealing small things when no one sees
Keeping promises, being punctual, and helping others
Lying to avoid trouble
Being rude to neighbours
Explanation:

Small daily habits like honesty, responsibility and helpfulness build character and reflect dharmic principles.

51. What is the basic meaning of dharma in Hindu teaching?

A specific day for fasting
A method of making offerings in a temple
A type of Hindu musical instrument
A set of duties and moral laws that guides right conduct
Explanation:

Dharma refers to moral duty and right behaviour for individuals and society, not rituals or objects. For a Kenyan Hindu child this means acting honestly, respecting elders and helping community members.

52. Which principle of dharma means non‑violence and harming no living being?

Vyasa (a sage)
Artha (wealth)
Kama (pleasure)
Ahimsa (non‑violence)
Explanation:

Ahimsa is the principle of non‑injury and compassion, important for daily life such as avoiding bullying at school and caring for animals.

53. What does 'satya' require a person to practise?

Truthfulness in words and actions
Wearing a special religious mark
Sacrificing all possessions
Keeping all traditions secret
Explanation:

Satya means being honest and truthful. In Kenyan schools this relates to not cheating and speaking truthfully to friends and teachers.

54. Which of the following best describes 'svadharma'?

A person's own duty according to their role
A type of fasting
The law of the land only
A special temple ritual
Explanation:

Svadharma is the duty specific to an individual (such as a student, parent or teacher). It encourages doing what is right for your position in life.

55. How does karma relate to dharma?

Karma is a type of food offering
Karma means performing all rituals every day
Karma is only about bad luck and not related to actions
Actions done according to dharma lead to good results under karma
Explanation:

Karma is the law of cause and effect: right actions (following dharma) bring wholesome results, which encourages responsible behaviour.

56. Which principle encourages serving others without expecting reward?

Vrata (vow)
Seva (selfless service)
Dana (donation only)
Bhakti (devotion)
Explanation:

Seva means offering help and service without expecting something back. In Kenya this could be helping at community clean‑ups or assisting a neighbour.

57. What is 'dharma' most concerned with in family life?

Only performing daily prayers
Owning many possessions
Fulfilling duties like respect, care and responsibility
Strictly following fashion rules
Explanation:

In family life dharma asks individuals to respect elders, care for younger members and carry out responsibilities, which builds a strong household.

58. Which statement shows dharma in school behaviour?

Bragging to gain popularity
Copying another student's work to pass
Doing homework honestly and treating classmates kindly
Skipping classes to play every day
Explanation:

Dharma encourages honesty and kindness, so studying sincerely and being friendly reflect right conduct at school.

59. What is the opposite of dharma?

Adharma (unrighteousness)
Daya (compassion)
Dharani (earth)
Punya (good deed)
Explanation:

Adharma means behaviour that goes against moral order—lying, hurting others or neglecting duty—while dharma promotes good conduct.

60. Which principle of dharma teaches fairness and right action in public life?

Only following family wishes
Avoiding education
Justice and righteousness
Seeking personal pleasure first
Explanation:

Dharma includes acting justly and fairly in society, such as respecting others' rights and following laws in Kenya.

61. Why is respect for elders considered part of dharma?

Because it maintains family harmony and passes on wisdom
Because elders must control all decisions
Because it stops children from learning
Because elders always give money
Explanation:

Respecting elders helps keep relationships healthy and allows younger people to learn from older family members' experience.

62. Which behaviour reflects the dharmic value of compassion?

Ignoring someone who needs help
Helping a sick neighbour without expecting payment
Only helping when cameras are present
Being kind only to popular students
Explanation:

Compassion in dharma means caring for others selflessly, like offering help to those who are ill or in need in your community.

63. How does dharma view religious tolerance?

As unnecessary—only one religion must be followed
As a reason to avoid public life
As important—respecting other faiths and beliefs
As a rule to force others to change
Explanation:

Dharma teaches respect for others, which includes tolerance for different religions and peaceful coexistence in Kenya's multi‑faith society.

64. Which is an example of following dharma in business or trade?

Hiding costs to trick buyers
Being honest in weighing goods and giving correct change
Selling broken items as new to earn more
Cheating customers with false measures
Explanation:

Dharma calls for honesty in work and trade. Fair dealings build trust in the market and community.

65. What does the principle of 'duty' (kartavya) ask a person to do?

Carry out responsibilities even when difficult
Avoid all social obligations
Only do what is pleasurable
Never listen to teachers
Explanation:

Kartavya means fulfilling duties—such as studying, helping family and doing honest work—even when it requires effort.

66. Which choice best shows how dharma helps society?

By encouraging everyone to become priests
By making social life more complicated
By promoting honesty, service and respect so people live peacefully
By stopping all laws in the country
Explanation:

When people follow dharma, social harmony improves because others are treated fairly and kindly.

67. Which example shows dharma related to the environment?

Throwing waste into rivers because no one sees
Protecting trees and water sources for future generations
Cutting all trees for short‑term profit
Burning sacred groves for festivals
Explanation:

Dharma includes duty towards nature; protecting the environment is right behaviour that benefits the whole community.

68. How should a student decide between two duties that conflict according to dharma?

Always choose the easier task
Ask friends to decide without thinking
Ignore both duties and play instead
Think about which duty is more rightful and causes less harm
Explanation:

Dharma requires wise moral judgement; when duties conflict, choose the action that is more ethical and benefits others.

69. Which quality is central to dharma when dealing with family disputes?

Taking sides without listening
Patience and willingness to forgive
Always proving you are right
Shouting louder than others
Explanation:

Dharma values harmony; solving disputes with patience and forgiveness helps restore relationships.

70. What role does intention (manas) play in dharmic actions?

Intention means performing rituals only
Intention is irrelevant if the action looks good
Good intention makes an action morally better even if results differ
Only visible results matter, not intentions
Explanation:

In dharma, the purpose behind an action matters—acting kindly with good intention is valued, even if outcomes vary.

71. Which is a dharmic way to respond to injustice in the community?

Using violence to get quick revenge
Ignoring the problem entirely
Peaceful protest and seeking fair solutions
Spreading rumours to harm others
Explanation:

Dharma supports justice and non‑harmful means to correct wrongs. Peaceful, lawful action promotes lasting change.

72. What does 'punya' refer to in relation to dharma?

A form of punishment for wrongdoers
A type of temple bell
Good deeds and spiritual merit gained by right actions
A special kind of food
Explanation:

Punya is the positive result of following dharma—acts of kindness and duty build merit and wellbeing.

73. Why are rules and laws in a country like Kenya important from a dharmic view?

They force everyone to follow one religion
They make it impossible to practise dharma
They encourage dishonesty
They help maintain justice and protect people's duties and rights
Explanation:

Dharma supports social order; good laws protect citizens' rights and help people fulfil their duties peacefully.

74. Which behaviour shows dharma when someone is offered a bribe?

Threatening the giver to get more
Accepting the bribe to get what you want
Refusing the bribe and reporting the attempt
Taking the bribe and hiding it
Explanation:

Dharma values honesty and justice; rejecting corruption keeps public life fair and protects the community.

75. How can dharma guide a child in making friends at school?

Only be friends with those who have money
Be friends with others to cheat on tests
Treat everyone fairly, kindly and with respect
Exclude classmates who are different
Explanation:

Dharma teaches equal respect and kindness, so children should include and treat classmates well regardless of differences.